Janelle O'Dea

Madison County Associate Judge Andrew Carruthers found his name in the recently released U.S. Department of Justice files regarding Jeffrey Epstein, a sex offender accused of trafficking minors. Carruthers was assigned Epstein’s case in a collection matter in Lake County, Illinois, but said he never met him or communicated with him.

Illinois

Madison County judge finds name in Epstein files because of legal representation

Beth Hundsdorfer, Janelle O'Dea

As an associate at an Edwardsville law firm, he represented Epstein in a 2013 debt collection matter  

The police department in Carlyle, Illinois, as seen on Friday, Jan. 30, 2026.

Southern IL (area)

Feds accuse former Carlyle police chief of wire fraud, theft

Beth Hundsdorfer, Janelle O'Dea, Illinois Answers Project

Federal prosecutors allege that he used public money for personal expenses

Southern IL (area)

Search warrant reveals FBI is investigating former Carlyle police chief

Beth Hundsdorfer, Janelle O'Dea

The federal agency was sharing office space with the subject of the probe.

A sign outside a once dying mall in Marion in Southern Illinois promises a brighter future, thanks to a $112 million bond deal made possible by the state and taxpayers dollars.

Economy & Business

A once dying mall in Southern Illinois is getting a mighty makeover, thanks to $112M bond deal — created by the state and backed by local tax money — but the project has hit a speed bump

Janelle O'Dea, Beth Hundsdorfer

Officials in Marion say the massive redevelopment is on track, but one of the three main developers has already dropped out, facing a slew of lawsuits